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We now have a shot of the 2-disc DVD back cover confirming the IMAX Scenes

Further Details:
Warner Home Video has announced 1-disc ($28.98), 2-disc ($34.99) and Blu-ray ($35.99) releases of The Dark Knight for the 9th December. As far as we know, no extra material will be included on the 1-disc release. The DVD and Blu-ray releases will include 6 action-packed IMAX Scenes (Prologue, Hong Kong, Armoured Car Chase, Lamborghini Crash, Prewitt Building, Final Montage) a Gotham Uncovered documentary, featurettes (Batman Tech: The Incredible Gadgets and Tools, Batman Unmasked: The Psychology of The Dark Knight), 6 episodes of Gotham Cable's Premier News Program, galleries (The Joker Cards, Concept Art, Poster Art, Production Stills), trailers and TV spots. A limited edition set with Batpod will also be available. We've attached the official package artwork for each release below:

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End the Two-Face storyline after the hospital scene and cut out the dumbass ferry scene (which was just a riff on the same morality themes that had been done 5 times in the movie already) and THEN we can call it the best superhero movie ever. Until then, I'll still take Spidey 2, X2, Batman Begins and maybe even Iron Man.

For such a huge movie, what a lame "limited edition." Honestly. Luckily, for the biggest movie in over a decade, most stores will probably have super duper exclusives. Target usually never fails. Best Buy will probably have a Steelbook!

I hate the Blu Ray idea of the changing aspect ratios - the change from 2.40 to IMAX 1.78 will simply take me out of the film. I'm sure Warners could of fit two versions (one without IMAX) on to the Blu Ray.

Clearly, Warner Bros. are hoping consumers will buy the DVD edition as well.

The aspect is going to switch back and forth ? Who's retarded idea was that ? With all those idiots that like foolscreen/pan & scam over widescreen, I can imagine just how mad they'll get when they not only get "black bars" (though they really aren't that) but the size of them will keep changing !

It wasn't steelbooks that I was calling stupid. Voltron, Superman, Forbidden Planet, and the Disney Treasures all have variations of Steelbooks and I love them. The changing aspect ratio is dumb and so is anyone who supports it.

Just out of interest Matt, can you clarify the exact reasons why you feel a revolutionary feature such as IMAX scenes presented in a shifting aspect ratio is dumb?

While you're at it, why are steelbooks dumb?

I can't answer the steelbook question, because I don't think I bought one, but if it's the steel shell that has the same DVD packaging inside, then yea it is pointless (or just for show, no benefits I can see). I got one like that for WrestleMania and threw it away.

I can agree with the IMAX scenes being dumb. If I have to watch the movie in 2.4 until IMAX scenes come, then the movie will change on my TV and change again to go back, then I will take the DVD version of staying the same.

Like another person wrote, those scenes were made for huge screens, not for TVs.

My opinion doesn't matter, because I thought the movie was alright (6/10) and will only pick it up used however I get it, in case I do watch it again. (I am a Batman fan, and I have the 60s movies too, only watched once. Batman Begins twice. I'm a fan of the Batman of the 88-90s.)

Dex309 wrote: Definetely the 2-disc BD for me. And one thing: was I the only one that noticed the lower promo image said that the BD included a Digital Copy, but this wasn't mentioned in the press release?

I noticed this too, also doesn't mention on the rear cover art either.

m@tt wrote: Is there any point to watching the imax format on tv? Would the definition be better than the average blu-ray film for instance? I thought Imax films were for 70 foot screens or something.

Well, there is always less film grain. You see, the little lively speckles you see sometimes in the image is film grain. Maybe you know about that. It is there, always, also in projection. The Imax-format is appr. 10 times bigger in negative size, so the resolution is much higher, and the film grain much less. I think you will see the difference on the Blu-ray release, when you watch it on a big full HD LCD or beamer.

Worst Nightmare wrote: Probably not until the reviews come out will they be able to say whether the BD will have the IMAX stuff and how it will be incorporated...

but thats already been confirmed, not sure if i saw it on this site or another though. but the IMAX scenes will just be at 1:78 thus taking up the whole tv screen vs. the "black bar" look of the 2:35 aspect ratio. sorta like a small scale version of what happened in IMAX theaters.

Does anybody else wish they released multiple covers for this movie? Kinda like what they did for RESERVOIR DOGS?

I predicted (with no factual info) that THE DARK KNIGHT would be released with 3 covers, inspired by a theatrical poster: 1) Batman holding a Batarang over his eye (see the Two-Disc sidebar for the image).

2) The Joker holding a joker card over his eye.

3) Harvey Dent holding his "I Believe In Dent" campaign button over half of his face.

If you've seen that poster where all three characters are holding an item in front of their faces, then you'll know what I mean.

I bet that loser Xage buys all the junk that comes out 12/9, probably take another day off to run around like a moron. Boys and their toys must play, oh that's right he NEVER opens any of his toys, has to keep them pristine. Money well spent, just like with Iron Man!

The artwork doesn't necessarily disgust me as much as it does for others. Although the single disc cover does look better. I think the studio should have done reversible covers or something since this movie has a lot of (eye catching) promotional art.

Oh but it is. Warner Home Video has a preorder link for a separate P&S edition on their website (and DVD Times says that there will be a full-screen single-disc edition available). It's just TDK probably won't have those honking banners advertising the aspect ratio, but have the format listing in tiny lettering (a la Universal) on the bottom of the DVD cover.

Sad but true. If Warners were serious about luring more customers to invest in Blu-ray, they'd dispose of full-screen altogether and make TDK available on DVD and Blu in widescreen ONLY. Sony did that for "Spider-Man 3" and it did well for them.

m@tt wrote: Is there any point to watching the imax format on tv? Would the definition be better than the average blu-ray film for instance? I thought Imax films were for 70 foot screens or something.

well you get to see the full image for those specific scenes and not the cropped version that the dvd edition and regular theaters had. granted its not a huge dealbreaker sorta thing but if blu-ray offers the opportunity to show them that way then why not?

Andy3105 wrote: This is a copy and paste of an update from www.thedigitalbits.com

In the meantime however, a LOT of you have sent in e-mails asking how the aspect ratio is going to work on the DVD and Blu-ray Disc editions of The Dark Knight (due 12/9). I've just heard back from Warner Home Video on this, so here's the deal: The widescreen versions of the DVD will present the film in a 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio, reproducing the standard theatrical experience of the film. For the Blu-ray Disc however, while most of the film will also be presented in the 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio, the scenes that were specifically shot in IMAX format will be presented at 1.78:1, which will fill the frame and will thus recreate the IMAX experience at home. So there you have it. Should be cool, and we obviously can't wait to get our hands on the discs.

I hope this doesn't break any rules but I didn't have time to type it all out!!!

well its good to get confirmation but that does raise an interesting question for the future. one of these days there will probably be widescreen tvs that can display at 2:40 and have the image take the whole screen. so when this happens, what will we see when viewing 1:78 movies or in this case, the imax scenes?

In the meantime however, a LOT of you have sent in e-mails asking how the aspect ratio is going to work on the DVD and Blu-ray Disc editions of The Dark Knight (due 12/9). I've just heard back from Warner Home Video on this, so here's the deal: The widescreen versions of the DVD will present the film in a 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio, reproducing the standard theatrical experience of the film. For the Blu-ray Disc however, while most of the film will also be presented in the 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio, the scenes that were specifically shot in IMAX format will be presented at 1.78:1, which will fill the frame and will thus recreate the IMAX experience at home. So there you have it. Should be cool, and we obviously can't wait to get our hands on the discs.

I hope this doesn't break any rules but I didn't have time to type it all out!!!

Andy3105 wrote: I just saw on www.blu-ray.com that an extra for the Blu Ray edition is "The Imax Scenes" now does that mean that the Imax scenes are separate from the main feature?

I read an interview with Nolan where he "confirmed" that the Blu Ray would include the shifting aspect ratios, I took this to mean that it was incorporated into the actual movie, not as an extra feature type of thing?

Anyone able to confirm either way?

it'll be like it was in imax theaters, the whole shifting thing. the regular dvd does contain some sorta featurette on them though. i'm sure blu-ray is the only way that they can be featured in the movie itself due to the resolution and whatnot.

I just saw on www.blu-ray.com that an extra for the Blu Ray edition is "The Imax Scenes" now does that mean that the Imax scenes are separate from the main feature?

I read an interview with Nolan where he "confirmed" that the Blu Ray would include the shifting aspect ratios, I took this to mean that it was incorporated into the actual movie, not as an extra feature type of thing?

Da B-Meister wrote: Ok, so what's the deal with the different covers for the 2-disc special edition? Is the one with the Joker on it for full-screen or wide-screen? Or is it the one with Batman on the Batpod? Which is which?

That batpod one is the slipcover; the Joker one is the regular packaging.

Ok, so what's the deal with the different covers for the 2-disc special edition? Is the one with the Joker on it for full-screen or wide-screen? Or is it the one with Batman on the Batpod? Which is which?

I believe FOCUS POINTS means Bonus View 1.1. It was the same with Harry Potter order of the phoenix it was also called FOCUS POINTS on the HD-DVD. Hope i am right about this because this movie deserves a detailed making of aka PiP behind the scenes stuff

Well, I don't want to sound like the pessimistic one, but it seems to me like Warner doesn't want to offer us much. Sure, it looks like a lot of bonus, but there has to be more than what we got on the Begins DVD... and to think of another dipping, I say I'll wait until my videostore sells its used copies for 6,99$ (the one disc of course) since there doesn't seem to be much of interest (what do I care of the bat-gadgets?? I want to know of Heath Ledger's performance, Bale's delve into Batman, Michael Caine's... well, the entire cast... get a real making-of documentary and Warner probably waits for such occasion like the re-issues of 300 and I am Legend to triple and quadruple-dip us... Sorry Warner, you may have talked me into see this in theaters 3 times, but I'm going to hold on my horses until an insanely incredible edition comes out before giving any money. And here I naively thought they would treat us with more that this... and again, sorry if I sound like the pessimistic one... I just speak out my very frustrated mind about what we deserve and what we don't get.

I really, wish I could "love" this movie (and 'Begins' as much as all the bandwagoners out there

Liking something means you're jumping on the bandwagon? Well hell, I'm on quite a few bandwagons. The breathing one, the one for those who like quesadillas, I enjoy shelter so there's another, also on the poetry bandwagon...just to name a few. I'm sure there are more...

let's start a petition to have them make steelbooks becomes the standard case for dvd and blu-ray.

i mean nobody can argue price would be an issue since the steelbook versions always cost the same as the non-steelbooks so yes.....and on the plus side it would appease those people who think blu-ray cases suck so its win win. lol

I just can't accept the way Nolan and Co. sucked the fun and romance out of the character.

If, by saying "fun" and "romance", you mean Adam West-Burt Ward movie/TV series/Joel Shumacher/George Clooney-Chris O'Donnell man-love/Bat-Nipples kind of "fun" and "romance", I see what you mean. The Nolan brothers and David Goyer have taken Batman to hell in a handbasket!

*Sarcasm meter explodes*

Haha, exactly. Me and snakepeter had a slight discussion on the same topic. This is how Batman IS, they didn't suck the fun out of anything, except, as you say, the adam west versions and such.

I'm a little disappointed by the special features on this dvd. Anyone who cares has probably already watched the Batman Tech features on the History Channel or something, and besides that, there isn't too much here. Oh well, this is the only movie that I really won't mind double-dipping one bit.

The artwork is frickin awesome. I know that each store, like Target and Best Buy and others will have their own exclusive artwork and packaging, but this artwork is nearly good enough to buy by itself. I actually like it better than the leaked Steelbook art, but I like steelbooks better in general. DECISIONS, DECISIONS..... life is so hard these days.

I just can't accept the way Nolan and Co. sucked the fun and romance out of the character.

If, by saying "fun" and "romance", you mean Adam West-Burt Ward movie/TV series/Joel Shumacher/George Clooney-Chris O'Donnell man-love/Bat-Nipples kind of "fun" and "romance", I see what you mean. The Nolan brothers and David Goyer have taken Batman to hell in a handbasket!

FangsFirst wrote: flicster wrote: If only there was a bonus audio feature that you could activate so Christian Bale's voice didn't sound like he was in serious need of a lozenge every time Batman talked. 'cept that's how Batman talks. established in the comics and everything. I was very happy to hear it. It's how he makes sure no one recognizes even his voice when 'in character' as Batman (as Bruce Wayne, I mean, not as Bale )

Michael Keaton, Kevin Conroy, and Val Kilmer.... ALL 'altered' their voices as well, and you know what?? none of them sounded as ****ing retarded as Bale did.

"Established in the comics".....???

So just how the hell did you "hear" how he "sounds" from a comic?

I'm not sure if I'll be picking this up.... I didn't think it was the, "gr8test movie EVARorz!!!" .... Besides, I could just totally hold off until the 3rd film is out, and there's a trilogy box-set or something.

I really, wish I could "love" this movie (and 'Begins' as much as all the bandwagoners out there, but even though 'Batsy' has and always will be my favorite character I just can't accept the way Nolan and Co. sucked the fun and romance out of the character.

I believe FOCUS POINTS means Bonus View 1.1. It was the same with Harry Potter order of the phoenix it was also called FOCUS POINTS on the HD-DVD. Hope i am right about this because this movie deserves a detailed making of aka PiP behind the scenes stuff

Well so much has been said already but I'm going to keep it simple. LOVED this film, one of the best of the comic book and sequel genre and it totally trancends those boundries as just a great film. Still the best of the year so far and will totally be all over that 2-Disc. Great artwork by the way!

I loved this movie and will definitely be picking up the 2-disc DVD. I love how the Amaray cover differs from the slipcover. Would've preferred the burning logo on the building though. That was by far the best poster art. I'd hardly call this the best movie EVER but it was bar none the best of the summer, and hands-down the best Batman movie ever made. This is one I'll definitely watch again and again.

wolfarcher wrote: jp orestes wrote: Nice covers but not my favourite choices. That one disc cover is choice number 2 and choice number 1 would never get picked but I like it. There is a poster of it I might pick up.

What poster might that be?

Wow I never did say now did I? I like the teaser poster of Batman overlooking the city out the window but i guess that doesn't show much.

There were actually so many great posters for 'The Dark Knight' that most of them are great.

It really sucks, that you can only get the batpod in the blue-ray limited edition, I guess I have to buy the dvd and blue-ray limited edition, great marketing although very inconsiderate to the consummer. Greatest movie ever. God bless Mr Ledger's family, May he rest in peace.

Man I love the 2 disc blu ray art! Nice how theres different pics on the case and slip cover! But damn it with the batpod exclusive! I wish it was the batpod that held the case or something... as it looks cool but would suck to bring to a friends.

Alter_ryDen wrote: I hate to say it, but this to me just seems like a rushed-out in time for Christmas release. I'm pretty sure within a few months we'll see a much more comprehensive release, with regards to special features. I'm usually not really into commanteries, but I'd like a Christopher Nolan commantary, I think that's inevitable though... I'll probably still end up getting this, I usually have little problem with doudle-dipping...

while i agree that there's bound to be a double dip, especially with its re-release in theaters this janurary, i dont see how this is rushed. summer movies always hit dvd during the following fall and this was the last of the summer movies to finally be announced and its being released the latest as well. i mean when you think about it, i'll be out on dvd/blu-ray almost 5months after its theatrical release which is actually a long wait these days. lol

though at the same time i am surprised, when i heard about the re-release in theaters i figured they'd wait after that to release it on home video since there was no official word or date and every other summer movie is set to come.

mc_serenity wrote: And it's disappointing to see that once again, WB has failed to give even "The Dark Knight" (which is their highest-grossing film domestically) the Batman Anthology treatment -- DTS audio, director's commentary, character profiles and a thorough overview on every detail of the production. The release looks like a slight improvement over BB in terms of extras, but this is HIGHLY disappointing.

well if the 3rd movie is truly the end of a trilogy like they supposedly want, i'm sure they'll make some big fancy trilogy box set one day and then both Begins and Dark Knight will be truly loaded. because i agree, as cool as the features are...you'd think there would be more.

I wished the 2-disc DVD art was reversible as opposed to a slipcover over a regular Amaray case. It'd save paper and keep me from being tempted to throw the slipcover away.

And it's disappointing to see that once again, WB has failed to give even "The Dark Knight" (which is their highest-grossing film domestically) the Batman Anthology treatment -- DTS audio, director's commentary, character profiles and a thorough overview on every detail of the production. The release looks like a slight improvement over BB in terms of extras, but this is HIGHLY disappointing.

If Chris Nolan didn't want to do a commentary, why not pair up his brother Jonah and Christian Bale up to do one?

mc_serenity wrote: Billy Gates wrote: Getting the Blu-ray, that's all I gotta say. Loving the artwork. It's all great. I've seen it only twice in theaters. Once in IMAX and once at the theater I work at (which only has digital projection, but still looked good).

Before "Dark Knight" came out, cinematographer Wally Pfister and director Chris Nolan discouraged people to not see the digital projection showings because they dub it "muddy" and not detailed enough for 2K projectors (they wanted people to see the 4K resolution of regular film and that there were hardly any digital projectors that projected in 4K).

It seemed perfectly crisp and beautiful to me. I hope Pfister and Nolan supervised the DVD transfer for TDK as they did for the Blu-ray release. DVD is still the biggest part of the home video market, as Blu is still a growing niche market for now.

Yeah, I prefer 35mm film presentation still but my theater doesn't show movies in 35mm anymore unless absolutely necessary (for the rare independent film that comes in or what not). It's sad, because some of the movies I've watched in digital presentation were ruined because of it. 35mm is always gonna be my preference, which is why I liked the IMAX version because it was a 70mm print.

I wish the 2-disc DVD slipcover had the same blue top-bar as the cover did, the orange is just weird.

And in regards to double-dipping, I think that's inevitable, but I also think that no one cares, and everyone will buy whatever it is anyway. I just hope it has lots of nice, NEW special features, unlike the Batman Begins limited edition this year (which, yes, I did buy anyway) and those 300 and I Am Legend box sets.

And for those who were wondering about the 2005 DVD release of Begins, it had a 1-disc release, and two different 2-disc ones, one with a mini-graphic novel, one without. The only other re-releases of that film have been this year, with the DVD and BluRay limited edition sets (and the regular BluRay).

I hate to say it, but this to me just seems like a rushed-out in time for Christmas release. I'm pretty sure within a few months we'll see a much more comprehensive release, with regards to special features. I'm usually not really into commanteries, but I'd like a Christopher Nolan commantary, I think that's inevitable though... I'll probably still end up getting this, I usually have little problem with doudle-dipping...

flicster wrote: If only there was a bonus audio feature that you could activate so Christian Bale's voice didn't sound like he was in serious need of a lozenge every time Batman talked. 'cept that's how Batman talks. established in the comics and everything. I was very happy to hear it. It's how he makes sure no one recognizes even his voice when 'in character' as Batman (as Bruce Wayne, I mean, not as Bale )

Bouncy X wrote: 6 episodes of Gotham Tonight? so are these like full on 20-25mins episodes or just snippets or what?

These will just be the 6 episodes released online during Warner's elaborate marketing campaign. They run up to about 10+ minutes each, with people like Arron Echhart in character, smartly introducing the uninitiated to the central people in the story.

They kept promising an interview with Gordon, but it looks like they thought without Gary Oldman telling them to stick it...

I dug the simple bat logo covers for the special editions of the original 4 movies for R2. That said- I'm ok with this cover. Would have preferred the flaming symbol but this is fine. I'm alright with the Joker being on the front of the cover too as long as their is a Batman slipcover over top. After all, the movie is still called The Dark Knight and not The Joker.

WB obviously really love that batpod image... it was used on many of the promo tickets here in australia. i agree that the burning bat symbol poster would have been much nicer, but can't complain about what we've got. the inner cover not matching the slipcase is a plus too.

wolfarcher wrote: Hopefully the 2-disc DVD also has the Joker version underneath, with the Batpod as the slipcover, and yeah, the burning building one is much cooler. I don't like that the top of the 2-disc is bright orange though, totally clashes with the rest of the picture.

Wonder what kinda exclusives BestBuy, FYE, Target, etc will have?

And it goes without saying, best film of the year, will buy as soon as humanly possible!!!

Bouncy X wrote: ragingjake21 wrote: WTF Blu-ray artwork is out before SD artwork I think this means Blu-ray is now slowly taking over SD too and soon will take its place.

MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

sorry...just felt like a muwahaha moment.

its all good getting a Blu-ray player in a month or so, so I'll be right there laughing with you soon and this just might be my first Blu-ray buy. And will also continue to buy movies on SD mainly because of packing and exclusives such as Steelbook ect.

6 episodes of Gotham Tonight? so are these like full on 20-25mins episodes or just snippets or what?

and as cool as the bat-pod is, i dont like the disc storage. i thought it was simply gonna be the regular case inside a box with the bat-pod, that i would have gotten.

anyway i like the blu-ray covers, its not often a slipcover isnt simply the same as the disc case so kudos. seems to have a good amount of extras too.

and i love how they kept that "joker screwing around" style for the back art. i wonder what the two scratched words are in the movie description. and its cute how batman is circled and connected to vigilante. lol

"includes action packed imax framed sequences"

i guess that means it'll do like the imax theaters and those scenes will get slightly bigger? thats pretty neat.

Billy Gates wrote: Getting the Blu-ray, that's all I gotta say. Loving the artwork. It's all great. I've seen it only twice in theaters. Once in IMAX and once at the theater I work at (which only has digital projection, but still looked good).

Before "Dark Knight" came out, cinematographer Wally Pfister and director Chris Nolan discouraged people to not see the digital projection showings because they dub it "muddy" and not detailed enough for 2K projectors (they wanted people to see the 4K resolution of regular film and that there were hardly any digital projectors that projected in 4K).

It seemed perfectly crisp and beautiful to me. I hope Pfister and Nolan supervised the DVD transfer for TDK as they did for the Blu-ray release. DVD is still the biggest part of the home video market, as Blu is still a growing niche market for now.

Getting the Blu-ray, that's all I gotta say. Loving the artwork. It's all great. I've seen it only twice in theaters. Once in IMAX and once at the theater I work at (which only has digital projection, but still looked good).

Hopefully the 2-disc DVD also has the Joker version underneath, with the Batpod as the slipcover, and yeah, the burning building one is much cooler. I don't like that the top of the 2-disc is bright orange though, totally clashes with the rest of the picture.

Wonder what kinda exclusives BestBuy, FYE, Target, etc will have?

And it goes without saying, best film of the year, will buy as soon as humanly possible!!!

Michael Friedrichsen wrote: I guess Movie with Focus points means. bonus view 1.1 PiP commentary right?No. The picture will get fuller in parts then switch back to normal then repeats again & again. Not sure how it will work withOUT an IMAX screen. It may fail but I'll try to be more optimistic.

As for the DVD I wish we had a better look at that since I've yet to go Blu.

Also I've seen the film four times thus far with intentions to break my personal record of theatrical viewings by adding AT LEAST one more conventional and one more IMAX. How many for you all?

Ok guys... calm down. I know you loved this movie, I did too, but WB KNOWS that you loved it. And rest assured they are going to bleed you for every cent they can. 600 million domestically is simply not enough for them and believe me, they are swimming in money right now. Mark my words, they are going to double dip, triple dip and quadruple dip on this movie until the "BATlash begins"...

I'm flippin' excited over this. Heath's best performance EVER! May he rest in peace. It pisses me off and saddens me to no end that he will never return as the Joker. He was already a big star, but had he lived, this film would have taken him to new heights. He better get an Oscar Nom and Win for this role.

I wish the burning bat-signal was the outer slip cover. That normal 2-disc edition will be mine on release day. That Batpod thing is nifty looking, but I will pass on it.

I just want a normal two disk without the batpod. I really need to see it again in the theater. This film makes you question any kind of justice. I love it! Plus it has you sitting at the edge of your seat every minute.All hail the Joker! RIP Heath.

That Batpod is Mine!!!!!! What an amazing movie! I saw it 5 times at the IMAX and it doesn't get old. I wish they would've included a proper commentary though...the format of the extras seems to be identical to the ones on Batman Begins.